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Well rotten FYM or compost at the rate of 25-30 ton/hectare should be applied at the time of planting. The
amount of inorganic fertilizer depend upon the fertility of the soil and organic manure used. It ranges between
100-120 kg nitrogen, 75-80 kg of phosphorus and 100 -120 kg of Murat of potash.It is advisable to add 20-25 kg of
elemental sulphur at the time of land preparation to correct the deficiency of sulphur which is increasing in Indian
soils. Half of nitrogen and entire quantity of phosphorus and Muratof potash should be given as basal.Rest of the
nitrogen should be split in two doses as top dressing at the 45 and 90 days after planting.
effectively controlled by treating the seed rhizome with dissolving 2 gm of streptocycln in 1 litre of water for 30
minutes.
Harvesting and yield
For fresh Ginger, the crop should be harvested before attaining the full maturity means when rhizomes are still
tender, low in pungency and fiber content, usually from fifth month onwards after planting. Harvesting for the
preserved ginger should be done after 5-7 months of planting while harvest for dried spices and oil is best at full
maturity. i.e between 8-9 months after planting when leaves start yellowing. Rhizomes to be used for planting
materialshould be harvested until the leaves becomecompletely dry. After digging the rhizomes should be treated
with fungicide like mancozeb @3-4 gm per litre of water , dried in shade , and stored in pits covered with 20 cm
layer of sand alternating every 30 cm layer of rhizomes. These pits should be dug under a thatched roof to protect
the rhizomes from rain, water and direct sun. Average yield varies from 12-15 tons per hectare. However recovery
of dry ginger varies from 20-22%.
Washing and drying
After harvest, the fibrous roots attached to the rhizome should be trimmed off and soil is removed by washing.
Rhizomes should be soaked in water overnight and then cleaned. The skin can be removed by scrapping with the
correct instrument. Peeling or scraping reduces, drying time, thus minimizes mold growth and fermentation.
However scraping process tends to remove some of the oils constituents which are more concentrated in the peel.
By removing the outside Corky skin the fiber content also decreases. After scrapping, the rhizomes should be sun
dried for a week with frequent turning and well rubbed by hand to remove the outer skin. This is called as
theunbleached ginger . The peeled rhizomes should be repeatedly immersed in 2% lime solution for 6 hours and
allowed to dry in the sun for 10 days while rhizome receive a uniform coating of lime and moisture content should
be 8-10%. This is called as bleached ginger which has improved appearance with light bright colour.